Eating and Body Image Disturbances in Male-to-Female and Female-to-Male Transsexuals

Abstract

The aim of the study was to discover whether persons with Gender Identity Disorder (GID) differed from controls of both sexes and from persons with eating disorders in terms of the degree of eating and body image disturbance, self-esteem, and depression. A total of 88 self-identified male-to-female transsexuals (MtF), 43 female-to-male transsexuals (FtM), 62 females with an eating disorder, 56 male controls, and 116 female controls completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, Eating Disorder Inventory, Body Checking Questionnaire, Drive for Muscularity Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. MtF showed higher scores on restrained eating, eating concerns, weight concerns, shape concerns, drive for thinness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction, and body checking compared to male controls, and concerning some variables also compared to female controls. FtM displayed a higher degree of restrained eating, weight concerns, shape concerns, body dissatisfaction, and body checking compared to male controls. Furthermore, participants with GID showed higher depression scores than did controls, whereas no differences concerning drive for muscularity and self-esteem were found. Between MtF and FtM, the only significant difference emerged for body checking, with MtF displaying higher scores. Although it was shown that on these variables the values for persons with GID were lower than for those with eating disorders, these data lead us to speculate that persons with GID might be at a higher risk of eating disturbances. Therefore, the implementation of prevention programs might help persons with GID to avoid developing a clinically relevant eating disorder.

Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in trans people: A systematic review of the literature

“…Three studies explored disordered eating in trans individuals (Ålgars et al, 2012;Khoosal, Langham, Palmer, Terry, & Minajagi, 2009;Silverstein, Carpman, Perlick, & Perdue, 1990). Five papers related to both disordered eating and body image and explored the prevalence of these constructs (Ålgars et al, 2010;Cella, Iannaccone, & Cotrufo, 2013;Witcomb et al, 2015;Vocks, Stahn, Loenser, & Legenbauer, 2009;Wiseman & Moradi, 2010). It is important to note that the studies included within the review that examined eating psychopathology did not explore clinically significant eating disorders because diagnostic tools were not employed.…”

“…Only one study employed an experimental research design (Marone et al, 1998). Of the 26 studies, only eight had a control group Becker et al, 2015;Bozkurt et al, 2006;Fleming et al, 1982;Pauly & Lindgren, 1976;Vocks et al, 2009;Wolfradt & Neumann, 2001;Witcomb et al, 2015). For four of these studies, their control group included participants from the general population (i.e., they did not have a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria) (Becker et al, 2015;Fleming et al, 1982;Pauly & Lindgren, 1976;Wolfradt & Neumann, 2001).…”

Sociodemographic Variables, Clinical Features, and the Role of Preassessment Cross-Sex Hormones in Older Trans People

“…The RSE has been 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 empirically validated and administered previously to trans individuals. 30 Self-cutting and its characteristics were assessed by means of the Self-Injury Questionnaire (SIQ). 31 Participants were asked whether they had ever deliberately cut themselves (yes/no) and if they had, how long ago they last did this (in the last week, month, several months ago, more than a year ago, or never).…”

Childhood maltreatment in subjects with male-to-female gender identity disorder

“…24 Few studies reported that GID subjects are more dissatisfied with their body than subjects nonaffected by GID, even with regard to nonsexual body parts and aspects. 25,26 As far as psychopathology is concerned, the results are mixed: whereas some studies have reported higher prevalence of Axis I and II Disorders, 27,28 others found no differences in the level of psychopathology between GID subjects and controls. [29][30][31][32] Only one study has focused on the prevalence of CM in male-to-female (MtF) GID subjects, reporting a higher prevalence of emotional abuse and neglect in comparison with psychiatric inpatients.…”